Long Time Expat In Japan
Japan loves mascots. I suspect that it might be Disney where the phenomenon started, but I have nothing to back that up. The only places that I see mascots where I'm from, Boston, Mass., is for sports teams and Disney. You take pictures with the mascot because you want to remember your association with the … Continue reading Japan is Awesome – Mascots
Book Review - Claws of the Cat By Susan Spann About six months back, I joined the Japan Writers Conference, an annual event that attracts a lot of academics, intellectuals, and amazingly creative people. They also let anyone join, and it's free, so that explains why they let me in. There, I had the pleasure … Continue reading Book Review – Claws of the Cat
Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging by Sebastian Junger Tribe is about how disconnected people people feel. How disconnected we are from society. The book suggests that people are happier-- and saner-- if we live in close knit groups. The examples that stand out are PTSD sufferers. Junger suggests that if veterans (in this case) felt … Continue reading Tribe
The pressure is on. Now that I'm 1kyu, I'm worried I can keep the same level of quality. The below ain't bad but is it 1kyu ? Same here for 3kyu in kanji.
You can now buy the anthology, or pre-order it anyway. You know, the one with my story in it? First off, if you didn't hear me the first time, thank you to those who supported me. A little over a year ago, I wrote a short story and shared it with good friends. I also … Continue reading Published
I'm starting to think that I should have taken these leveling tests a long time ago. The monthly grind is good, but progress is gradual. Then I take this test and Bam! 2 levels, or 3. Kana has been my strong suit all along, much to my surprise, and this time is no exception. I … Continue reading Results
Book Review -The Atrocity Files by Charles Stross To Begin - Non-Review Navel Gazing I'm late to the party, but I don't let that bother me. I'm reading fiction from the 70's and loving it. So it should come as no surprise to me that I am behind the curve on a lot of fiction. … Continue reading Book Review – The Atrocity Files
I just submitted some kana for a level up test. This is the first time that I get to choose what to write, how to write it, and how to arrange it on a page. It was like trying to play improvisational jazz after two piano lessons. I was paralyzed. I finally struggled through and … Continue reading Testing Up
If you want to be a beta-reader, please send me an email or leave me a comment and I’ll share the rest of the story. — On the kitchen table was a dull gray arthropod the size of a mature Pit Bull Terrier. “Ginny Murphy,” I said. “Get here right now and apply this strip … Continue reading Story Excerpt – Springtails
Book Review The Collapsing Empire By John Scalzi I don't often buy books in their pub date. I make only a few exceptions. Scalzi books are often in the exception category. I am, I think, genetically predisposed to liking Scalzi, much like I am genetically predisposed to high blood pressure, kidney disease, and diabetes. I … Continue reading Book Review – The Collapsing Empire
B.S. Donovan 